Lee Daniels in talks for Richard Pryor biopic with Eddie Murphy and Michael B. Jordan among contenders for the lead

THE BUTLER director Lee Daniels is in talks to take on a biopic of late great comedian Richard Pryor with Eddie Murphy, Marlon Wayans, and Michael B. Jordan in contention to take the lead. The film has been in development for years now, with both Murphy and Wayans in the mix from the start. However, with Jordan emerging as a leading man contender, especially after his work in last year's FRUITVALE STATION, it appears that he is now the frontrunner for the role, although Wayan's seems to be the right age (41) to play both the young and old versions of the famed comedian. Factoring in the ol' movie magic, though, it could be anyone's race.

Pryor is well-known as one of the all-time best stand-up comedians who helped inspire and usher in a new era of the craft. The late comedian also suffered from a number of afflictions and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1986 and suffered a number of heart attacks, as well as a freebasing incident that set him on fire. He died in 2005 of a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of stand-up, films, and comedy albums. The untitled biopic is still in the early stages, but looks to be ramping up, joining the ranks of other in-development comedian biopics, including the Sam Kinison pic with Josh Gad and the John Belushi pic with Emile Hirsch.

More as this develops.

Extra Tidbit:

Pryor also co-wrote Blazing Saddles with Mel Brooks, but lost out on the lead role as the studio was unwilling to insure him.